Rasmuson Foundation awards grant to SHI

Posted: February 26, 2013 - 1:06am

JUNEAU EMPIRE

Sealaska Heritage Institute, a Juneau-based nonprofit organization affiliated with the Sealaska Corp., has received a grant from the Rasmuson Foundation to purchase new media and publications equipment, according to an announcement from SHI Monday.

The $15,000 award will allow SHI to buy items such as camera batteries, a still camera, camera bags, external hard drives, a microphone, a computer, a public address system and software upgrades to supplement its existing system.

The award will allow SHI to expand and strengthen its abilities to document Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian history, cultures and languages, said SHI President Rosita Worl in the written statement announcing the grant.

“As we lose our most knowledgeable and fluent elders, we’re so thankful to know that we have a recording facility here that has allowed us document many, many hours of Native people telling clan stories and histories and speaking in their Native languages,” said Worl.

“We are most grateful to the Rasumson Foundation for supporting our efforts,” Worl added.

SHI is a private nonprofit group founded in 1980 to promote cultural diversity and cross-cultural understanding. It is governed by a Board of Trustees and guided by a Council of Traditional Scholars. Its stated mission is to perpetuate and enhance Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian cultures of Southeast Alaska.